Microdiscectomy vs. Percutaneous and Endoscopic Discectomy

Depending on the source of your pain and your overall health, your doctor may choose between one of two different methods of spinal discectomy. The goal of both minimally invasive surgical procedures is to repair or remove offending matter while minimizing the damage to your muscles, tendons, and surrounding tissue. The two procedures are defined as:

• Microdiscectomy. Your NY pain management specialist carefully positions the incision, which is just an inch to an inch-and-a-half in length, parallel to how your muscles line up. It’s almost like peeking between blades of grass to see past them versus chopping them down to get a better view. Spreading your muscles gently apart allows for a much less traumatic procedure and much quicker recovery time. Magnification and fluoroscopic techniques also give your doctor a better view without damaging the surrounding tissue.
• Percutaneous discectomy or endoscopic discectomy. Both of these methods require your pain management doctor in Manhattan to insert one or more small tubes into your back. Using imaging technology to guide his movements, your doctor gradually widens the tube, spreading your muscles apart. This provides an operating channel to insert cameras and other instruments. The incisions for these tubes are only a few millimeters wide, so this minimally invasive technique results in decreased post-surgical pain and a quicker recovery.

Because the incisions are so small, all these procedures now provide patients with cervical pain, or neck-related conditions, needed relief in techniques such as an anterior cervical discectomy fusion. In the past, more invasive procedures caused too much damage in this smaller, more delicate area. These methods are usually performed on an outpatient basis, further enhancing your recovery time. In fact, since the offending matter has been removed, most patients report a reduction in overall pain immediately following their procedure.